Homer-The Great Greek Author

Homer was the earliest known author of any epic in the history of literature. Homer is credited with the creation of Iliad and Odyssey, two of the greatest epics of all times. Though it is believed that these were composed by the rhapsodes of the 7th Century B.C in an oral tradition, Homer is credited with penning down these oral verses in a beautiful manner. Homer's work often ark the beginning of the Classical Antiquity.

Many mysteries shroud the birth and identity of Homer. There are many stories and theories regarding who Homer actually was and where did he belong to. It is said that once, the Oracle of Delphi was asked by the Emperor Hadrian, as to who Homer was.

The Oracle had replied that Homer was an Ithacan and was the son of Telemachus and Epikaste. According to several other tales, Homer was blind. Other stories tell of his origin to be Ionian. Many controversies also shroud the creation of the Iliad and the Odyssey. While the sheer volume of the Odyssey, dissuades few critics to believe that it was created by a single person, others believe that as the style of both the Iliad and the Odyssey are the same, their author must be the same as well. Many travelers to Greece have also noted their encounters with Homer, or refer to him.

The language used by Homer in Iliad and Odyssey belongs to the older version of Ionic Greek, with a mixture of other languages like Aeolic Greek. What strikes one while reading Iliad and Odyssey, is Homer's poetic brilliance. Matthew Arnold, who had translated Homer's works, opines that Homer is extremely fast paced in his approach. He also goes on to say that Homer had an extremely plain and direct approach in using his words as well as in constructing sentences. These great factors of Homer's style makes him unique.